Antrim U21 hurlers beaten in All-Ireland semi-final

TIPPERARY defeated Antrim 2-32 to 1-7 in Saturday's Bord Gais All-Ireland U21 Hurling semi-final at Tullamore.

Corner-forward John O'Dwyer hit 2-3 for Tipp as they advanced to the 11 September decider.

Dinny Cahill's side were outclassed by his native county as O'Dwyer's opening goal helped Tipp lead 1-10 to 0-0.

Thomas McCann notched Antrim's first score but Tipp lead 1-18 to 0-1 at the break and Michael Armstrong's late Antrim goal was little consolation.

Antrim's opening McCann point didn't come until the 26th minute but the game was already over at that stage.

Scores arrived from all sectors for the Munster champions with Brian O'Meara, Patrick and Brendan Maher and O'Dwyer claiming points to ensure nine Tipperary players were on target in the opening half as they led by 20 points at the break.

Tipperary manager Ken Hogan could afford to call senior star Noel McGrath ashore at the interval, with the midfielder having contributed six points.

Saffron skipper Cormac Donnelly and keeper Eoin Gillan prevented further Tipp goals by producing brave blocks before O'Dwyer struck his second goal on 47 minutes.

O'Dwyer pushed the Premier County into a 2-25 to 0-4 with a superb 48th minute strike before Antrim's late rally.

Armstrong fired to the net after doubling on a PJ O'Connell shot and the goalscorer and James Campbell added further late Saffron points.

The Saffrons have never reached the All-Ireland Under-21 final.

Antrim: E Gillan; K Molloy, C Donnelly, S Shannon; L McAuley, M Donnelly, J Campbell (0-1); PJ O'Connell, E Laverty; M Devlin, T McCann (0-2), C Rocks; M Armstrong (1-2), C Carson (0-1), D Hamill (0-1). Subs: G Laverty for McCann (12-13 mins); M Burke for McAuley (39); G Laverty for Rocks (49); N Cunningham for C Donnelly (52); M Lynch for O'Connell (59)

Referee: T Carroll (Offaly).